5 /5 Tim Hewitt: Don’t get fooled by Lil Deb’s kitschy exterior, the kitchen and cocktails are nothing to play with. As many have said on here already, the Fried fish is a showstopper. The earthy, spicy, sumac crusted skin provides a nice satisfying crunch to the buttery soft fish underneath.
What surprised me the most could easily have been an afterthought of an amuse bouche- the nam prik with the shrimp chips. A near perfect bite that explodes with umami balanced beautifully with acidity and complemented by the crunchy shrimp chip. The two separately, are good, but combined together are heaven.
Even if you’re just going for a drink and a snack, Lil Deb’s won’t disappoint. The cocktails are exceptionally crafted and come with no glitz, glam or frills- somewhat counterintuitive to the decor of the space. Where you might expect some large, fruity tiki drink to match the hot pink of the walls, Lil Deb’s will hand you a Shishito Martini in a stubby lowball glass.
Lil Deb’s defies the perception that it creates for itself- a perfect analogy for the community that it beckons too. A fun, fantastic space that will not only serve a vibe, but a mouthwatering dish as well.
Special shoutout to our wonderful bartender Spike. My GF and I felt immediately welcome and at home there- all thanks to Spike!